Official announcements from JR East or major travel news outlets

JR East Plans Touchless Suica System by 2028 Using GPS, Enhancing Cashless Payment Options with Costs in Millions

Dec 10, 2024, 08:13 AM

East Japan Railway Company (JR East) has announced plans to enhance its Suica card system over the next decade, aiming to introduce a touchless ticketing experience. The new system will utilize GPS technology to enable users to pass through ticket gates without physically swiping their cards. This innovation is part of a broader strategy to transform Suica into a comprehensive cashless payment platform, which will also include interpersonal payment capabilities. The company is considering reducing the number of ticket gates, which are estimated to cost several million yen each. Additionally, JR East plans to launch a new Welcome Suica Mobile aimed at tourists and enhance the Mobile Suica app's features. The full rollout of these advancements is targeted for 2028, with the goal of making travel more convenient and efficient for users.